Lost Alexandria of Iraq Rediscovered by Researchers

Researchers have definitively located the ancient port city of Charax Spasinou, often referred to as the 'Alexandria of Iraq.' This significant discovery resolves a long-standing debate among scholars regarding the city's precise whereabouts.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 324 B.C.E. during his military campaigns, the city was a vital establishment by the renowned Macedonian ruler. Historical accounts, such as those by Pliny the Elder, describe its existence and later restorations by rulers like Antiochus and Spaosines.

Modern research, initiated with studies of aerial photographs from the 1960s, was finally able to conduct on-site analysis starting in 2014. Teams utilized drone photography and magnetometry to map buried structures and detailed terrain, revealing remnants of streets, buildings, and harbor basins.

The city's strategic placement along the Tigris River suggests it was a major hub for commerce and trade in ancient Mesopotamia. Future investigations are expected to explore its construction phases and link urban growth to environmental changes and trade dynamics.